The Opelousas courier., 1887-12-03

These lands, known as Pecan Island. are not
now necessary for the use of the navy, as in
the construction Of war vessels iron and steel
have been substituted for live oak, and be-
sides the naval officers say that the timber on
greater cost than its actual value. In addi-
ton. IL is represented that the lands are set
tied upon by persons in good faith, and who.
II the present restrictions are removed, can
asked, therefore, that the lands be opened
up to settlement under the laws.
There will be brought forward a measure to
sIlbalvld ssb the Ef5teT9 jud an d district Of the
into two judicial districts, while providing
for the holding of the courts at four places
in the western distriet-Opelousas, Alexan-
drja Shreveport and M~onroe-failed to subdi-
constituting the district to the courts, or
places for holding, the courts, to which they
should be ,amenable. This, it is thought,
fbh h43dd b be q. done and Is s=fcc9fr saagEy i the M di str
Cameron, Calcasieu, Lafayette and Yelnlil-
ion, returned at Opelousas court; Rapides,
Vernon. Ayoyelles. Catahoula. Grant and
s Mann We s. A%Ie1 cIaiboip ead Bfe;p vi so1 Rst sRf-
toches, Red River, Sabine, LINCOLN and
jackson. at Shreveport; Ouachita, Franklin,
Riehland, Morehouse, East Carroll, West
OuEIOlts hhulSOI9 lSIfbdSy OOuCO1A1ds
Union and Caldwell, at Monroe.
AS is well known the building which was
many years ago constructed at New Orleans
as a marine hospital has been abandoned
and ls useles5 for any governmental plr-
pose. In consequence it is suggested. that
Congress authorize the Secretary of the
Treasury to cede to the Board of Adnlinistra-
tors of the Tulane University the building
and remise for the uses of that institution.
H PEOPLE oF MISSISSIPPI
rys M tho II, 5icio ~ nP That G4ota raOonIaIaI
SO as to make it more convenient aud Access
sible. It il desired that a division be made
OF the southern district SO as to secure the
holding OF courts in three places-Jackson,
Meridian and Mississippi City. 1t is also
proposed that a district Judge be appointed
to preside over the courts in the southern
district: It is argued that when the State
was divided into districts, there were no rail-
road facilities and but o few scattering ham,
let's. Within the last few years new railroads
have been built, many towns have BECOME
important commercial points,, and numerous
Ifin nea Of Y raiiqaads haY w fPfah mea mp a f6a gn 1ie
ness Of the Federal courts has largely in
creased in amount and Importance, and the
old arrangemenps OF the district has become
Judge is needed, it is said, for the 'erompt
and efficient disposition Of the business of
An appropriation Of s1o,' 600 will be asked
OF Congress for the purpose OF constructing
a mncadamized road from. Corinth to the
National Cemetery. near that town. The
War Department recommends the improve
menb.
There is a matter which comes within the
jurisdiction of
THE v AND B BILL,
but which, as on artificial work, will proba-
bly, be brought forward as a distinct measure.
1t is to provide for the construction of a
canal to connect Bayou Teche with Grand
Lake, at Charenton. The project will re-
qnire an expenditure Of S75, 900, of which
$25 000 was appropriated some years ago,
and the effort will be made to have Congress
grant the balance needed in one lump.
1t is in contemplation to open Bayou
.Plsquemlne, which was once the water chan
mel of communication from the Mississippi
to the lower Atchafalaya, and which is closed
by q dam. With the Plaquemine opened and
the Charenton Canal in operation, it is said
the water. communication with New Orleans
will be shortened nearly one-half, and the
benefit to lower Louisiana will be very great.
Democratic Caucus Nominations for
Officers OF tFs9 House.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Much interest was
resentatiyes tonight.
Consultation was going on in every nook
and corner among the friends of the candi-
dates for the various House Offices, the chief
attraction being the headquarters of Door
ACCpC1 0OIiCloOu dlll w. =. 1tttluC6, VI new
York, a contestant for Donelson's place, this
office being the one on which the chief con-
test is expected to take place.
ThN caucus was called for T O'Clock, but it
was nearly s when Representative Cox of
New York called it to order. He spoke at
considerable length. When he first entered
the democratic caucus thirty years ago
HE Democratic party was in power. 1t had
waited 0 long time for the return of that
domination, bns it had come in the ~fullness
of strength. He congratulated them on the
Democratic victories this year, which had SO
paralyzed the opposition thatthey would not
be able to recover for 1888 unless the DEM
ocracy failed in harmony and duty.
But, gentlemen" said he, 'tyour duty
this evening is not to pass p Q any. code or
policy. One OF our duties is ITO select for the
votes of the House its Speaker. Happily
there is no more contest as to his PERSONAL
tyf than as to his eminent fitnese and pre-
siding. ability. Under his leadership the
minority is sure OF Just treatment. Oh!
how much ] better than that accorded us in
the. reign OF the audacious Speaker from
Name and his incompetent srccessory from
Ohio.n
Or motion Of REPRESENTATIVE Breckenridge,
of Kentucky, Hon. John G. Carlisle Nas
nominated for Speaker by acclamation.
Mr.. Carlisle IVES brought in and was called
for a speech: After acknowledging the
ton the third time. and referring to the
onerous nature of the duties which the poui-
ton involved, he said:
I need not speak on this occasion Of the
d. the approaching session of
Congress. / think we all appreciate it, and
perhaps there is not one among us who would
not gladly escape, if he could, from respon-
abilities which the situation imposes upon
him.
But we cannot escape from them. As rap
fesentatiyes OF the. people. we are sent here
to do the work which the interests of the
require, and We must do it; or at least
united ana harmonious Democratic majority,
1t IS impossible for us to fail, while, without
q majority. 1t js impossible for us to
succeed, brat least success would be very
importance We should reconcile, if possible,
all difference. OF opinion among ourselves
before engaging IN q contest with the COM
mon enemy. III we can agree among our
selves on the essential points we can well
afford, IN view Of the critical condition OF
the country, to postpone the discussion of
matters until a more appropriate time. |
This course, It seems, is demanded by the
highest considerations OF party expediency
.tBut. MIR. Chairman, I did not intend
TO indulge In this line of remark n will not
pursue it further. We all know what is ex-
to make such concessions and compromises as
will secure concert of action and satisfac-
tory settlement of great public questions
Enlcn VII DC presented foE onr considers
to make it is my purpose simply to
thank you for what You have already done, |
and pledge my best efforts to serve you of
the party and the country
Representative Blanc, of Misseari, named
g b: Clark, the present incumbent, for
Clerk of the House. Agreed TO.
Representative Seney, of Ohio, named J. |
{. Leedom, o. for Sergeantat-Arms. He
chosen.
Then came the only real contest OF the
evening, that for doorkeeper. Mr.. DoneE-
was nominated by Representative Wash
.ngton, Of Tennessee; Mr. w. s. Rains, OF
New York, by Representative Bourke Cock
an; Dir. a. d. Hurt, of Mississippi, BY
representative Berry; Mr.. d. X. Reeder, of
by Representative Ernien-
irout. and Mr.. House, Of Michigan, by Rep
tesentatiye Tarsney. Az soon as the noInina-
were closed, Representative Breekin-
'1dge, OF Arkansas. began a vigorous attack
Mr. Donelson,, substantially. repeating